Arctic Sea Ice Drops Fast in 2010, to Near-Record Lows

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Arctic sea ice coverage appears to have dropped to its lowest
extent for the year as of last week, the National Snow and Ice
Data Center (NSIDC) announced today (Sept. 15). Levels are the
third-lowest recorded since 1979, when data were first taken,
continuing the long-term trend of decreasing summer ice,
according to the report.

Arctic sea ice reflects sunlight and keeps the polar region
cool, moderating global climate conditions. Sea ice has been
melting more in recent years as global average temperatures rise.
Less ice means that more open ocean is exposed to sunlight,
absorbing it and further warming the polar regions.

This is only the third time in the satellite record that ice
extent has fallen below 1.93 million square miles (5 million
square kilometers), and all those occurrences have been within
the past four years.

The record lows come despite a late start for the melt season
this year and, according to the NSIDC data, this year will mark
the fastest melt season on record if today's reported ice levels
are truly the season's minimum.